FORT MCDOWELL, AZ – Ember, the fine dining restaurant owned and operated by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation inside We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, has been awarded the AAA Four Diamond restaurant designation, becoming the first tribal-owned restaurant in the State of Arizona to receive this distinction.
Presented by AAA, the Four Diamond designation recognizes restaurants that achieve an exceptional standard of excellence in cuisine, service, ambiance, and overall dining experience. Fewer than 3% of the nearly 30,000 restaurants evaluated annually by AAA earn the Four Diamond rating.
“We are very thankful to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation who believed in the vision of Ember restaurant and allowed us to open Ember at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort in 2020,” Said Zac Gallo, Executive Director of Food and Beverage at the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. “Our service culture is founded on ‘arms wide open hospitality’ and we strive to be the very best at what we do. This recognition means so much to us. I am incredibly proud of the Ember team, and their commitment to dining excellence.”
Ember is an all-scratch kitchen offering USDA Prime and Angus Wagyu beef, as well as game and seafood sourced from a variety of regions. The menu is complemented by a specialty cocktail selection, a whiskey library, and a wine and spirits list supported by the restaurant’s sommelier and service team.
“This achievement reflects more than culinary excellence,” said Harold, Baugus, GM of We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. “It reflects a culture where our team members show up to make We-Ko-Pa a place people are proud to serve the Yavapai Nation.”
